QUICK ANSWER — VA loans: $0 down. FHA: 3.5%. Conventional: 5-20%. You do NOT need 20% down. Budget for closing costs (2-5%) on top of the down payment. Nevada has assistance programs like Home Is Possible for eligible buyers. Valley West Mortgage, NMLS #65506.
Reviewed by Vatche Saatdjian · 4.9
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Total Cash Needed
$11,200
on $400K · VA loan · $0 down
$0
Down Pmt
$11.2K
Closing
$2,492
/month
Calculator

Down payment estimator

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$400,000
0%
VA
700
$0
Down Payment
$11.2K
Closing Costs
$11.2K
Total Cash
Estimated Monthly Payment
$2,492
$11.2K
cash needed
Down Pmt Closing Loan Fee

Estimates only. Assumes 5.625% rate, Clark County NV taxes. Not a commitment to lend. NMLS #65506.

Compare

How down payment changes the math

0% down
VA loan
$2,492
/month
$0 down
$11.2K cash
3.5% down
FHA loan
$2,485
/month
$14K down
$24.8K cash
5% down
Conventional
$2,590
/month
$20K down
$30.8K cash
20% down
No PMI
$1,988
/month
$80K down
$90.8K cash
Education

Understanding down payments

How much do you need?

It depends entirely on the loan type. VA loans allow $0 down for eligible veterans. FHA requires 3.5% with a 580+ credit score. Conventional loans start at 5% down, but putting 20% down eliminates private mortgage insurance (PMI). The 20% myth stops many buyers who could purchase with far less.

Down payment vs closing costs

Many buyers focus only on the down payment and forget about closing costs. Closing costs typically run 2-5% of the purchase price and are paid in addition to the down payment. On a $400K home, that's $8,000-20,000 on top of whatever you put down. Budget for total cash to close, not just the down payment. Use our closing costs calculator for a full breakdown.

What is down payment assistance?

Down payment assistance (DPA) programs help buyers cover part or all of the down payment and sometimes closing costs. Common types include: grants (do not need to be repaid), forgivable loans (forgiven after you stay in the home for a set period, typically 3-5 years), deferred-payment second mortgages (no payments until you sell or refinance), and repayable second loans (low-interest, paid alongside your mortgage). Eligibility varies by program — income limits, first-time buyer status, homebuyer education, and approved-lender requirements typically apply.

Nevada assistance programs

Nevada offers programs like Home Is Possible, which provides down payment and closing cost assistance to eligible buyers statewide. Income limits and homebuyer education requirements apply. Clark County and the city of Las Vegas have also offered local assistance at various times. Program terms and availability change — always verify current details with a participating lender. Valley West can help you check what's currently available. Use our affordability calculator and first-time buyer guide to plan your full budget.

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Reviewed by Vatche Saatdjian, NMLS #65506
Valley West Mortgage · Licensed in 34 states · Updated April 2026
FAQ

Down payment questions

VA: $0. FHA: 3.5% with 580+ credit. Conventional: 5-20%. The right amount depends on your loan type, cash reserves, and comfort level. Remember to budget for closing costs (2-5%) on top of the down payment.
No. 20% is only needed to avoid PMI on conventional loans. VA has no PMI at any down payment. FHA has mortgage insurance regardless. Most first-time buyers put down well under 10%.
Some programs cover both down payment and closing costs. Others cover only the down payment. It depends on the specific program. Nevada's Home Is Possible program, for example, can be applied toward both. Always verify with your lender.
A larger down payment reduces your loan amount, lowering monthly principal and interest. Every 5% down on a $400K home saves roughly $115-130/month. At 20% on a conventional loan, you also eliminate PMI ($100-200/month savings).
Yes. Home Is Possible is a statewide program. Local programs have also been available in Clark County and Las Vegas. Income limits and homebuyer education typically apply. Program terms change — contact a participating lender to verify what's currently available.
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Understand your down payment, closing costs, and total cash to close. Take the next step when the numbers make sense.

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Valley West Corporation DBA Valley West Mortgage. NMLS #65506. 8010 W Sahara Ave Suite 140, Las Vegas, NV 89117. Equal Housing Lender. Not a government agency. Not affiliated with the VA, FHA, or any government agency. Not all applicants will qualify. All rates and terms subject to change. This is not a commitment to lend. All calculations are estimates. Down payment assistance eligibility varies by program, income, location, and lender. Verify current program details with a participating lender.

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